Is a MBA enough to work in marketing?

[malc81]

I have a general MBA and I would like to work in marketing. Is doing a part time Ma in marketing worth while ?

I have no relivant working experience

[philipwhite]

You have a rough road ahead of you if you have no experience or none in the field. I don't think a MA in marketing is necessary unless your doing marketing research and need a heavy stats background. What you learned from your MBA program should be a sufficient start.

BTW, What experience do you have and how are you trying to sell yourself?

[malc81]

I have a degree in commerce and went straight to do the MBA. Working experience is in accounting mainly clerical. I try to sell myself as being eager to work, I have good references, and try to highlight the positives example - offer new ideas, the avoidance of the problem of doing things this way because they have been done this way for 30 years and the importance of having a blend of people who have a certain level of education and those who have experience if the company if interviewing in firm with no qualified staff.

I know it is not necessary however would it give me a edge ? My question is would focusing on a particular area be of a good competitive advantage. How would they be perceived together by employers? Would it be something that 1 + 1 = 1.2 or as 1 + 1 =3?

Economic conditions in country are unfavourable at the moment.

Comments would be appreciated thanks for your reply philipwhite

[mike]

malc81,

I agree with Phillip, you certainly have the education for marketing, what you need is the experience- and the best way to do that is just to dive in. There are plenty of Business Development Roles for new grads. If you concentrate your search at small places- for example- with a sales force of 2-3 others, after you show some talent in writing and strategy, the Business Development Manager will probably throw some marketing duties if you ask. All you have to do is prove yourself in those and you'll get more and more.

I got into marketing by starting out in a Sales role as well- and sales is one of those roles that really gets you into every aspect of the organization and gives you skills for serious management later on.

[philipwhite]

Remember if you can get a job when the conditions are unfavorable then your chances of losing that job later on are far slimmer than the idiots who get in when the market is booming.

Anyways. 1+1 always equals 2 unless your in Bazarro Superman world. Bullsh1t and kissing ass only takes you so far in this world. Set goals and produce results.

Mike is right about the career path. Sometimes it take a few years at the bottom before you climb the ladder and occasionally you need to leave an organization to move up. You need a little ambition. Some of us go a bit overboard here like myself and it leads to too many hours at the office.

Because I work in IT I have some very good stories but the web is far too open to share them.

I need to start posting annonomously on one of the BOFH (******* operator from hell) sites.

[malc81]

Thanks for your replies. I have decided not to do the Ma in marketing and concintrate to finding a job. Hopefully something will turn up soon.

[Ron_Mexico]

When I was hiring managers last year, the HR department wouldn't send me resumes of anyone with multiple Master's degrees if they didn't have alot of experience. They said that many people were "degree collectors" and would never stick with a job because they have no idea what they want to do with their life.

[malc81]

I would understand that if the qualifications where not related however in this case no!